Andrew Bogut, David Lee ruled out for tonight’s game vs. Chicago

With Chicago’s talented front line of Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer having already arrived at Oracle Arena, the Warriors announced that they won’t have the services of their starting big men Andrew Bogut and David Lee on Thursday.

Lee has been struggling with a sprained left shoulder since the game against Indiana on Jan. 20. Bogut was briefly hobbled with a tweaked knee, but the Warriors say this injury is shoulder stiffness.

Jermaine O’Neal is expected to start at center, with Draymond Green getting the call at power forward.

“We will battle, compete and find a way to get it done,” Warriors head coach Mark Jackson said. “Carlos Boozer is a heck of a player and a legitimate post threat, and Joakim Noah is as good as it gets among big guys at diving to the hoop, offensive rebounding, defending and a great motor. We’ve got our hands full, but we’re prepared.”

Jackson said Lee won’t play Saturday at Phoenix, either. The team will decide after that whether to shut down the power forward through the All-Star break. Bogut will be evaluated before Saturday’s game and could play against the Suns.

“The great thing about it is: When you lay a foundation defensively, it is what it is,” Jackson said. “We don’t change. The characters change, but our principles, our ideas and our beliefs stay the same.”